Swansea City and Stoke City square off in South Wales on Wednesday evening looking for the victory that may realistically prove pivotal in their efforts to avoid relegation.
These two teams currently sit in 15th and 18th position in the Championship standings respectively, albeit just five and four points clear of the bottom three.
Match preview
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Heading into April, there was a feeling that Swansea City were doing enough to avoid being drawn into any kind of battle to stay in the second tier.
However, defeats to Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough without scoring a goal have left Luke Williams's side with work on their hands.
There is now just a five-point buffer to 23rd position when Swansea still have four teams below them - one of them already relegated in Rotherham United - on their schedule.
Since his arrival in January, Williams has collected just 15 points from as many matches, and this upcoming period could prove to be a pivotal time for him in the dugout.
Swansea also possess the fourth-worst home record in the division, a record that will only encourage a Stoke outfit that have been much improved of late.
Stoke went a whole 13 games without posting a single draw between January 13 and March 29, a run that featured five wins and eight defeats.
Nevertheless, two successive stalemates versus Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion have extended their recent undefeated streak to three matches.
Steven Schumacher's side also have 11 points from seven games, creating some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three for the first time in several weeks.
The Potters also make the trip to face the Swans having defeated Preston North End and Hull City - two playoff-chasing sides - in their last two fixtures on away soil.
Team News
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With Josh Tymon struggling with a calf injury, Swansea boss Williams must decide whether to start Azeem Abdulai at left-back or tinker his backline.
Bashir Humphreys could potentially return, with Harry Darling moving to right-back and Josh Key switching flanks, and other changes are a possibility.
Liam Cullen may get the nod down the centre of the attack, while Liam Walsh is also in contention for a recall.
Wouter Berger, Andre Vidigal and Tyrese Campbell are all pushing for opportunities in the Stoke midfield and attack.
Sead Haksabanovic and Ryan Mmaee seem likely to drop to the substitutes' bench if those chances are granted, but Schumacher may not needlessly tinker with his side.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Rushworth; Darling, Humphreys, Wood, Tymon; Fulton, Grimes; Ronald, Lowe, Paterson; Cullen
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Iversen; Hoever, McNally, Rose, Stevens; Laurent, Thompson; Manhoef, Bae, Vidigal; Campbell
We say: Swansea City 1-1 Stoke City
This has the feel of a game that will be regarded as 'must not lose' by both sides, and that is what we believe will transpire. A point apiece would keep things ticking over for both sides, so a low-scoring draw would not come as any great surprise.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
